Drake Bell says he does not qualify for SAG-AFTRA coverage

Actor Drake Bell says he does not qualify for SAG-AFTRA health coverage, criticizing the union’s earnings requirements after a screenshot he shared showed his reported covered earnings below the threshold for 2027 benefits. The screenshot from the SAG-AFTRA Health Plan portal listed $17,480.53 in covered earnings for the period from July 2025 through June 2026. It said he needed another $11,452.47 to reach $28,933. The portal also stated that members may fail to qualify if they do not meet minimum earnings requirements or other eligibility rules. Bell posted the image to Instagram Stories and criticized the union’s rules and leadership. He wrote, “Do not become an actor. Do not join SAG,” and said that even steady work over many years might not be enough. He tagged SAG-AFTRA and its president, Sean Astin, and questioned whether actors should run the union. The figures in the screenshot reflect Bell’s account as he shared it; the supplied reporting does not include independent verification from the health plan. SAG-AFTRA had not publicly responded to his criticism in the reports available on October 14.